USCG to impose conditions of entry on vessels from Gambia

The US Coast Guard (USCG) issued a notice stating that, effective 6 July, it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in the Republic of the Gambia during their last five port calls.

In summary, each affected vessel must:

Implement measures per the vessel’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2 while in a port in the Republic of the Gambia. As defined in the ISPS Code and incorporated herein, ‘‘Security Level 2’’ refers to the ‘‘level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident.’’

Ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while the vessel is in ports in the Republic of the Gambia.

Guards may be provided by the vessel’s crew; however, additional crewmembers should be placed on the vessel if necessary to ensure that limits on maximum hours of work are not exceeded and/or minimum hours of rest are met, or provided by outside security forces approved by the vessel’s master and Company Security Officer. As defined in the ISPS Code and incorporated herein, ‘‘Company Security Officer’’ refers to the ‘‘person designated by the Company for ensuring that a ship security assessment is carried out; that a ship security plan is developed, submitted for approval, and thereafter implemented and maintained and for liaison with port facility security officers and the ship security officer.’’

Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in a port in the Republic of the Gambia.

Log all security actions in the vessel’s security records.

Report actions taken to the cognizant Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) prior to arrival into U.S. waters.

In addition, based on the findings of the Coast Guard boarding or examination, the vessel may be required to ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded by armed, private security guards and that they have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while in U.S. ports. The number and position of the guards has to be acceptable to the cognizant COTP prior to the vessel’s arrival.